Lexmark Optra T616 User Guide

User’s Guide

Click the document name to open it:

Administrator’s Guide

Roadmap

Setup Guide

2000-Sheet Drawer User’s Guide

High-Capacity Output Stacker Installation Instructions

Use this document when you have questions about the Lexmark Optra™ T printer or encounter a problem when using it. This document contains information on loading print material, clearing jams, and using your printer.

The online Administrator’s Guide on this CD is a complement to this User’s Guide. If you are not accessing these documents directly from the CD, the Administrator’s Guide may not be available to you. See your administrator if you need the Administrator’s Guide.

TIPS

Use the Adobe Acrobat (3.x or higher) icons and

•

table of contents on your screen to navigate and use this document.

Click the blue text to link to another part of

•

this document or to another document. You can print all or specific pages of this

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document.

Home

1User’s Guide

Other sources of

information

Drivers, MarkVision and

Utilities CD

Lexmark Web site

In addition to printer drivers and utilities, the Drivers, MarkVision and Utilities CD includes information about Lexmark printers. After

launching the CD, click View Documentation and then click:

Printer Commands to open the Technical Reference and get

•

details about printer languages and commands, interface specifications, and memory management.

Special Media to open the Card Stock & Label Guide and get

•

information about choosing the correct print material.

MarkVision™ Printer Utility to open documents providing

•

details about the MarkVision printer management software.

MarkNet™ Print Servers to open documents containing infor-

•

mation about configuring MarkNet print servers.

Access our site on the World Wide Web for updated printer drivers, utilities, and documentation:

www.lexmark.com

2User’s Guide

Trademarks

TrademarksTrademarks

Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design, MarkNet, MarkVision, and Optra are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.

Operation ReSource is a service mark of Lexmark International, Inc.

PCL® is a registered trademark of the Hewlett-Packard Company. PCL 6 is Hewlett-Packard Company’s designation of a set of printer commands (language) and functions included in its printer products. This printer is intended to be compatible with the PCL 6 language. This means the printer recognizes PCL 6 commands used in various application programs, and that the printer emulates the functions corresponding to the commands.

PostScript® is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. PostScript 3 is Adobe Systems’ designation of a set of printer commands (language) and functions included in its software products. This printer is intended to be compatible with the PostScript 3 language. This means the printer recognizes PostScript 3 commands used in various application programs, and that the printer emulates the functions corresponding to the commands.

Details relating to compatibility are included in the Technical Reference.

Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

3Trademarks

Meet the Printer

The following illustrations show typically and fully configured printers. If you have attached paper handling options to your printer, it may look more like the fully configured model. For information on other possible configurations, refer to the Setup Guide.

Typically configured Fully configured

5-Bin mailbox

Tray 1 (integrated tray)

Standard output bin

Operator panel

Multipurpose Feeder

Tray 2

Tray 1 (integrated tray)

4Meet the Printer

Output expander

Envelope feeder

Duplex unit

Tray 2

Tray 3

Tray 4

Tray 5 (2000-sheet drawer)

Using Printer Drivers

The printer drivers, installed on your computer from the Drivers, MarkVision and Utilities CD that came with your printer, provide you

with powerful control of the printer features from almost any software application. Some of the things you can control include:

• Choosing paper sources

• Changing page orientation

• Choosing different sizes and types of media

• Adjusting the quality of print jobs

• Resetting printer defaults

• Multipage printing

• Changing duplex settings

• Print and Hold functions

You can open the printer driver from most applications:

Open the application File menu.

Choose Print (or Printer) Setup.

In the Printer Setup dialog box, click the Properties, Options, or Setup button (depending on the application).

5Using Printer Drivers

Using the Operator Panel and Menus

This section contains information about using the operator panel, changing printer settings, and understanding operator panel menus.

You can change most printer settings from your software application or printer driver. Settings you change from the application or printer driver apply only to the job you are preparing to send to the printer.

: Changes made to printer settings from a software application

OTE

override changes made from the printer operator panel.

If there is a setting you cannot change from your application, use the printer operator panel or the remote operator panel available from MarkVision. Changing a printer setting from the printer operator panel or from MarkVision makes that setting the user default.

6Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Using the

operator panel

The printer operator panel, on the front left-side of your printer, has a 2-line by 16-character liquid crystal display (LCD), five buttons, and one indicator light.

LCD

Light

Printer indicator light

Select

Return

Stop

The printer indicator light gives information about the status of your printer. If the light is:

Off - the printer is off

•

On - the printer is on, but idle

•

Blinking - the printer is on and is busy

•

7Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Operator panel buttons

Use the five operator panel buttons to open a menu, scroll through a list of values, change printer settings, and respond to printer messages.

You will find the numbers 1 through 6 beside the operator panel buttons; these numbers are used to enter PIN numbers for Print and Hold jobs. For more information, see “Using the Print and Hold

Function” on page 106.

The following information describes the functions of each button.

: Buttons act upon the information that displays on the second

OTE

line of the operator panel.

Press the Go button to:

Return to the

•

(the

Ready

Exit printer menus and return to the

•

Clear operator panel error messages.

•

Ready

message does not display on the operator panel).

state if the printer is in an offline situation

Ready

state.

If you’ve changed printer settings from the operator panel menus, press Go before sending a job to print. The printer must display

Ready

for jobs to print.

8Using the Operator Panel and Menus

<Menu> Each end of the button has a function. Press

Menu>

<Menu

When

•

Ready

first menu in the menus. the menus.

When

•

When the printer is offline:

•

– –

For menu items with numerical values, such as

•

and hold Release the button when the number you want displays.

Select Press the

Select the menu displayed on the second line of the operator

•

panel. Depending on the type of menu, this action:

– –

Save the displayed menu item as the default setting. The

•

printer displays the item.

Ready

state) and enter the menus.

Busy

Press Press

Select

displays, to take the printer offline (out of the

Menu>

<Menu

takes you to the last menu in

displays, to take the printer to the

Menu> <Menu

Menu>

to go to the next item in the menus, or to go to the previous item in the menus.

to scroll forward, or

<Menu

takes you to the

JOB MENU

Copies

to scroll backward.

button to:

, press

Opens the menu and displays the first item in the menu. Opens the menu item and displays the default setting.

Saved

message and returns to the menu

Clear certain messages from the operator panel.

•

9Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Return Press the

menu item.

Return

button to return to the previous menu level or

Stop Press the

temporarily stop all activity and take the printer offline. The operator panel status message changes to

Press Go to return the printer to the

button at the

Stop

Ready, Busy

Not Ready

Ready, Busy

, or

Waiting

, or

message to

Waiting

state.

10Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Printer messages

The operator panel displays three types of messages:

: Refer to the Administrator’s Guide for a complete listing of all

OTE

printer messages.

Status messages provide information about the current state

•

of the printer.

Attendance messages report printer errors that you must

•

resolve.

Service messages indicate printer failures that may require

•

servicing.

Status messages

Busy PCL Toner Low

When the

Ready

status message displays, the printer is ready to

receive a print job.

While a job is processing or printing, the

status message dis-

Busy

plays on the first line of the operator panel.

The screen to the left is an example of a message. The printer status displays on the first line of the operator panel. The second line displays warning messages that give more information about printer status and possible intervention conditions.

The used for the print job. The

message identifies the printer language (PCL emulation)

Busy

Toner Low

message warns you that the

print cartridge is low on toner.

11Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Attendance messages Attendance messages help you solve printer problems.

For example, if print material is jammed in the printer, the message

201 Paper Jam

201 Paper Jam Remove Cartridge

displays.

Service messages

A service message indicates a printer failure that may require a service call.

917 Service Transfer Roll

12Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Using the operator panel to

change printer settings

From the operator panel, you can select menu items and associated values to run your print jobs successfully. You can also use the panel to alter the setup and operating environment of the printer. See “Operator panel menus” on page 16 for an explanation of all the menu items.

You can modify printer settings by:

• Selecting a setting from a list of values.

• Changing an On/Off setting.

• Changing a numerical setting.

To select a new value as a setting:

From a Ready status message, press Menu> or <Menu. The menu names display.

Continue to press and release Menu> or <Menu until you reach the menu you need. Refer to the Administrator’s Guide for more information on specific menu items and values.

Press Select to select the menu or menu item displayed on the second line of the operator panel.

–

If the selection is a menu, the menu is opened and the first printer setting in the menu displays.

13Using the Operator Panel and Menus

– If the selection is a menu item, the default setting for the

menu item displays. (The current user default setting has an asterisk (*) beside it.)

Each menu item has a list of values for the menu item. A value can be:

– a phrase or word to describe a setting – a numerical value that can be changed – an On or Off setting

Press

Menu>

Select

<Menu

to move to the value you need.

to select the value on the second line of the operator panel. An asterisk appears beside the value to indicate that it is now the user default setting. The new setting displays for one second, clears, displays the word

Saved

then displays the previous list of menu items.

Press

Return

to go back to previous menus. Make additional menu selections to set new default settings. Press Go if this is the last printer setting to change.

, and

User default settings remain in effect until you save new settings or restore the factory defaults. Settings you choose from your software application can also change or override the user default settings you select from the operator panel.

14Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Example of printing the

menu settings

Complete the following steps to print a list of the current user default settings and installed printer options.

1 Make sure the printer power is on and the

message displays.

2 Press

Menu>

3 Continue to press and release

UTILITIES MENU.

4 Press

UTILITIES MENU

Select

5 Continue to press and release

Menus

6 Press

The message, until the page prints the current settings for the menus and a list of installed options.

If an error message displays, refer to the Administrator’s Guide for more information.

Select

<Menu

to display the list of menu items for the

to select

Printing Menu Settings,

to enter the menus.

Menu>

Print Menus.

Ready

until you see

displays and remains

status

The printer returns to

15Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Ready

when the page or pages finish printing.

Operator panel menus

Standard menus The printer has standard menus that let you configure the printer:

Additional menus Additional menus display if: a language is available for the model or

• Paper

• Finishing

• Utilities

• Job

• Quality

• Setup

• PCL Emul

• Pos tScript

is activated; options, network adapters, and attachments are installed; or a Print and Hold job is present. These menus include:

• Standard Parallel, Parallel Option 1, and Parallel Option 2

• Standard Serial, Serial Option 1, and Serial Option 2

• Standard Network, Network Option 1, Network Option 2

• USB Option 1, USB Option 2

• Infrared

• LocalTalk

• Fax

• Confidential Job

• Held Jobs

16Using the Operator Panel and Menus

The diagram on page 19 shows the menu items in each menu.

An asterisk (*) next to a value indicates the factory default setting. Factory defaults may differ for different countries.

Factory defaults are the function settings in effect the first time you

turn your printer on. These remain in effect until you change them. Factory defaults are restored if you select the Restore value for the

Factory Defaults menu item in the UTILITIES MENU. Refer to the

Administrator’s Guide for more information.

When you select a new setting from the operator panel, the asterisk moves next to the selected setting to identify it as the current user default.

User defaults are the settings you select for different printer func-

tions and store in printer memory. Once stored, these settings remain active until new ones are stored or the factory defaults are restored.

OTE

Be aware that settings you choose from your software application may override the settings you select from the operator panel.

17Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Menus disabled If your printer is configured as a network printer available to a num-

ber of users, it is possible that press

Menu>

<Menu

from the

Menus Disabled

Ready

state. Disabling the menus prevents users from using the operator panel to inadvertently change a printer default that has been set by the person managing the printer. You can still clear messages and select items from the

Job Menu

when printing a job, but you cannot change other printer settings. You can, however, use your printer driver to override printer defaults and select settings for individual print jobs.

displays when you

18Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Overview of printer menus Menus or menu items in italics only display if the corresponding

option is installed. Capitalized menu items (for example, PAPER SIZE) have submenus.

HELD JOB

Print All Jobs Print A Job Delete All Jobs Delete A Job Print Copies

PAPER MENU

Paper Source PAPER SIZE PAPER TYPE CUSTOM TYPES

Output Bin Configure Bins Overflow Bin ASSIGN TYPE/BIN

Substitute Size Configure MP Envelope Enhance PAPER TEXTURE PAPER WEIGHT

PAPER LOADING

PARALLEL MENU

PARALLEL OPTION x

PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch NPA Mode Parallel Buffer

Job Buffering

Advanced Status Protocol Honor Init Parallel Mode 1 Parallel Mode 2

CONFIDENTIAL JOB

Print All Jobs Print A Job Delete All Jobs Delete A Job Print Copies

FINISHING MENU

Duplex Duplex Bind

Copies Blank Pages Collation Separator Sheets Separator Source Multipage Print Multipage Order Multipage View Multipage Border

SERIAL MENU

SERIAL OPTION x

PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch

NPA Mode Serial Buffer

Job Buffering RS-232/RS-422 RS-422 Polarity Serial Protocol Robust XON Baud Data Bits Parity Honor DSR

UTILITIES MENU

Print Menus

Print Net Setup Print Net1 Setup Print Net2 Setup

Print Fonts

Print Directory

Factory Defaults

Format Flash Defragment Flash Format Dis k Job Acct Stat

Hex Trace

NETWORK MENU

NETWORK OPTION x

PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch NPA Mode Network Buffer Job Buffering NETWORK x SETUP

Refer to the Administrator’s Guide for detailed information on menu items.

SETUP MENU

Printer Language

JOB MENU

Cancel Job CONFIDENTIAL JOB HELD JOBS Reset Printer Print Buffer

Reset Active Bin

INFRARED MENU

Infrared Port PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch NPA Mode Infrared Buffer Job Buffering Window Size Transmit Delay Max Baud Rate

QUALITY MENU

Print Resolution Toner Darkness PQET PictureGrade

Pow e r Saver Resour ce Save

Download Target

Print Timeout Wait Time out Auto Continue Jam Recovery Page Protect Print Area Display Language Alarm Control Toner Alarm

Job Buffer Size Job Accounting Job Acct Limit

LOCALTALK MENU

LocalTalk Port PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch NPA Mode Job Buffering LocalTalk Buffer NPA Hosts LocalTalk Name LocalTalk Addr LocalTalk Zone

PCL EMUL MENU

Font Source Font Name Poin t S iz e Pitch Symbol Set Orientation Lines Per Page A4 Width TRAY RENUMBER Auto CR after LF Auto LF after CR

USB MENU

PCL SmartSwitch PS SmartSwitch NPA Mode USB Buffer Job Buffering

POSTSCRIPT MENU

Print PS Error Font Priority

FAX M ENU

Fax Port Fax Baud

Fax Data Bits Fax Pari ty Fax Bu ffer

Job Buffering

Fax Paper Size Fax Paper Type Fax Output Bin

19Using the Operator Panel and Menus

Choosing Print Materials

Print materials

Paper specifications

The print quality and feed reliability you get with the printer and options can vary with the type and size of print material you use. Guidelines are provided in this section for each type of print material. For information card stock and labels, refer to the Card Stock & Labels Guide, located on the Drivers, MarkVision and Utilities CD.

Always print samples on the print material you are considering before buying large quantities.

The following tables give information on standard and optional paper sources, as well as output options, for your printer model, including the paper sizes you can select from the PAP ER SIZE menu and sup- ported weights.

OTE

If you use a paper size not listed, select the next larger size.

20Choosing Print Materials

Paper Sizes and Types

Paper Sizes

210 x 297 mm (8.27 x 11.7 in.)

148 x 210 mm (5.83 x 8.27in.)

JIS B5

Letter

Legal

Executive

Universal

7 ¾ Envelope

9 Envelope

10 Envelope

DL Envelope

C5 Envelope

B5 Envelope

182 x 257 mm (7.17 x 10.1 in.)

215.9 x 279.4 mm (8.5 x 11 in.)

215.9 x 355.6 mm (8.5 x 14 in.)

184.2 x 266.7 mm (7.25 x 10.5 in.)

139.7 x 210 mm to 215.9 x 355.6 mm (5.5 x 8.27 in. to 8.5 x 14 in.)

69.85 x 127mm to 229 x 355.6 mm (2.75 x 5 in. to 9.01 x 14 in.)

148 x 182 mm to 215.9 x 355.6 (5.83 x 7.17 in. to 8.5 x 14 in.)

98.4 x 190.5 mm (3.875 x 7.5 in.)

98.4 x 225.4 mm (3.875 x 8.9 in.)

104.8 x 241.3 mm (4.12 x 9.5 in.)

110 x 220 mm (4.33 x 8.66 in.)

162 x 229 mm (6.38 x 9.01 in.)

176 x 250 mm (6.93 x 9.84 in.)

T616(n) standard tray

T614(n) standard tray

T612(n) standard tray

T610(n) standard tray

250-sheet drawer

500-sheet drawer

Multipurpose tray

2000-sheet drawer

Envelope feeder

Duplex unit

Standard output

Output expander

5-bin mailbox

High-capacity

output stacker

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓

✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓

21Choosing Print Materials

Paper Sizes and Types (Continued)

Other Envelope

98.4x162 mm to 176 x 250 mm (3.87 x 6.38 in. to 6.93 x 9.84 in.)

T616(n) standard tray

T614(n) standard tray

T612(n) standard tray

T610(n) standard tray

250-sheet drawer

500-sheet drawer

Multipurpose tray

2000-sheet drawer

Envelope feeder

Duplex unit

Standard output

Output expander

5-bin mailbox

✓✓✓✓✓

Paper Types

Paper

Card stock

Transparencies

Vinyl labels

Paper labels

Polyester labels

Dual web labels

This size setting formats the page for 215.9 x 355.6 mm (8.5 x 14 in.) unless the size is specified by the software application.

Label applications require a special label fuser cleaner which precludes duplexing; the label fuser cleaner is included with a special

label cartridge for label applications. Refer to the Administrator’s Guide for information on obtaining a label fuser cleaner.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓

High-capacity

output stacker

22Choosing Print Materials

Media Weight for Paper Sources

Material Typ e

Paper

Xerographic or business paper

Card stock-upper limit (grain long)

Index Bristol 163 g/m2 (90 lb) 120 g/m2 (67 lb) N/A

Ta g 1 63 g / m2 (100 lb) 120 g/m2 (74 lb) N/A

Cover 176 g/m2 (65 lb) 135 g/m2 (50 lb) N/A

Card stock-upper limit (grain short)

Index Bristol 199 g/m2 (110 lb) 163 g/m2 (90 lb) N/A

Ta g 2 03 g / m2 (125 lb) 163 g/m2 (100 lb) N/A

Cover 216 g/m2 (80 lb) 176 g/m2 (65 lb) N/A

(37 to 39 lb bond)

Laser printer transparencies

Labels-upper limit

Paper 180 g/m2 (48 lb bond) 163 g/m2 (43 lb bond) N/A

Dual-web paper 180 g/m2 (48 lb bond) 163 g/m2 (43 lb bond) N/A

Polyester 220 g/m2 (69 lb bond) 220 g/m2 (69 lb bond) N/A

Vinyl

7, 8

– Integrated tray5 – Optional 500-sheet drawer

60 to 176 g/m2 grain long (16 to 47 lb bond)

138 to 146 g/m

(37 to 39 lb bond)

– Multipurpose feeder – Optional 250-sheet drawer

60 to 135 g/m2 grain long (16 to 36 lb bond)

138 to 146 g/m

(37 to 39 lb bond)

Envelope feeder

N/A

300 g/m2 (92 lb liner) 260 g/m2 (78 lb liner) N/A

23Choosing Print Materials

Media Weight for Paper Sources (Continued)

Material Typ e

Integrated forms

Pressure sensitive area

Paper base (grain long)

Envelopes

Sulfite, wood-free

– Integrated tray5 – Optional 500-sheet drawer

140 to 175 g/m

75 to 135 g/m (20 to 36 lb bond)

N/A 60 to 105 g/m or up to 100% cotton bond

Notes:

For 60 to 176 g/m2 paper, grain long fibers are recom-

mended; grain short is preferred for heavier papers.

The pressure sensitive area must enter the printer first.

100% cotton content maximum weight is 24 lb bond.

28 lb bond envelopes are limited to 25% cotton content.

The duplex unit supports the same weights and types as

the printer, except for transparencies and envelopes.

– Multipurpose feeder – Optional 250-sheet drawer

140 to 175 g/m

75 to 135 g/m

Envelope feeder

N/A

(20 to 36 lb bond)

(16 to 28 lb bond)

3, 4, 9

75 to 90 (20 to 24 lb bond)

Dedicated label printing requires a special label fuser

cleaner which precludes duplex printing.

Vinyl labels are not supported by Optra T616(n).

Information on whether your vinyl label converter has

passed Lexmark's criteria is available at Lexmark's Web site (www.lexmark.com); search for "converter listing”. Or use Lexmark’s Automated FAX system (LEXFAX).

Envelopes fed from the multipurpose tray only.

g/m

24Choosing Print Materials

Material Type Output expander

Paper (grain long)

Card stock-upper limit (grain long)

Weight for Output Options

High-capacity

Xerographic or business paper

60 to 176 g/m (16 to 47 lb bond)

Index Bristol 163 g/m

Ta g 1 6 3 g / m

output stacker

60 to 176 g/m

(16 to 47 lb bond)

(90 lb) 163 g/m2 (90 lb) see note 1

(100 lb) 163 g/m2 (100 lb) see note 1

5-bin mailbox

60 to 120 g/m (16 to 32 lb bond)

Cover 176 g/m2 (65 lb) 176 g/m2 (65 lb) see note 1

Card stock-upper limit (grain short)

Labels-upper limit

Integrated forms

Envelopes

Not recommended.

Vinyl labels are not supported by Optra T616(n).

Index Bristol 199 g/m2 (110 lb) 199 g/m2 (110 lb) see note 1

Ta g 2 0 3 g / m

(125 lb) 203 g/m2 (125 lb) see note 1

Cover 216 g/m2 (80 lb) 216 g/m2 (80 lb) see note 1

Paper 180 g/m

(48 lb bond) 180 g/m2 (48 lb bond) see note 1

Dual-web paper 180 g/m2 (48 lb bond) 180 g/m2 (48 lb bond) see note 1

Polyester 220 g/m2 (69 lb bond) 220 g/m2 (69 lb bond) see note 1

2, 3

Vinyl

Sulfite, wood-free or up

300 g/m2 (92 lb liner) 300 g/m2 (92 lb liner) see note 1

175 g/m

see note 1

Supported Supported see note 1

to 100% cotton bond

Information on whether your vinyl label converter has

passed Lexmark's criteria is available at Lexmark's web site (www.Lexmark.com); search for "converter listing'. Or use Lexmark’s Automated FAX system (LEXFAX).

25Choosing Print Materials

Print material

characteristics

Weight The printer can automatically feed paper weights from 60 to

Curl Curl is the tendency of paper to curve at its edges. If curl is exces-

For detailed information, refer to the Card Stock & Label Guide located on the Drivers, MarkVision and Utilities CD.

The following paper characteristics affect print quality and reliability. We recommend that you keep these guidelines in mind when evaluating new paper stock.

131 g/m2 (16 to 35 lb bond) grain long. Paper lighter than 60 g/m2 (16 lb) might not be stiff enough to feed properly, causing paper jams. For best performance, use 75 g/m2 (20 lb bond) grain long paper. If you want to print on print materials narrower than 182 x 257 mm (7.2 x 10.1 in.), the basis weight must be greater than or equal to 90 g/m2 (24 lb bond).

sive, it can cause paper feeding problems. Curl usually occurs after the paper passes through the printer, where it is exposed to high temperatures. Storing paper unwrapped in humid conditions, even in the paper tray, can contribute to paper curling.

Smoothness The degree of smoothness of paper directly affects print quality. If

the paper is too rough, the toner does not fuse to the paper properly, resulting in poor print quality. If the paper is too smooth, it can cause paper feeding problems.

26Choosing Print Materials

Moisture content The amount of moisture in the paper affects both print quality and

the ability of the printer to feed the paper properly. Leave the paper in its original wrapper until you are ready to use it. This limits the exposure of the paper to moisture changes that can degrade its performance.

Grain direction Grain refers to the alignment of the paper fibers in a sheet of paper.

Grain is either grain long, running the length of the paper; or grain short, running the width of the paper.

For 60 to 176 g/m2 (16 to 47 lb bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For papers heavier than 176 g/m2 (47 lb bond), grain short is preferred. For the multipurpose feeder, 60 to 135 g/m2 (16 to 36 lb bond) paper, grain long fibers are recommended. For the multipurpose feeder, papers heavier than 135 g/m2 (36 lb bond) grain short is preferred.

Fiber content Most high-quality xerographic paper is made from 100% chemically

pulped wood. This content provides the paper with a high degree of stability resulting in fewer paper feeding problems and better print quality. Paper containing fibers such as cotton possess characteristics that can result in degraded paper handling.

27Choosing Print Materials

Paper guidelines

To help avoid paper jams or poor print quality:

• Always use new, undamaged paper.

• Do not use paper that you have cut or trimmed yourself.

• Do not mix paper sizes, weights, or types in the same paper

source since mixing results in paper jams.

• Do not use coated papers.

• Do not forget to change the Paper Size setting when you use a

source that does not support auto size sensing.

• Make sure the Paper Type, Paper Texture, and Paper Weight

settings are correct (refer to the Administrator’s Guide for detailed information about these settings).

• Make sure the media is properly loaded in the paper source.

28Choosing Print Materials

Recommended papers To ensure the best print quality and feed reliability, use 75 g/m

(20 lb) xerographic paper. Business papers designed for general business use may also provide acceptable print quality.

Always print several samples before buying large quantities of any type of paper. When choosing any papers, consider the weight, fiber content, and color of the paper.

The laser printing process heats paper to high temperatures of 212oC (414oF). Use only papers that are able to withstand these temperatures without discoloring, bleeding, or releasing hazardous emissions. Check with the manufacturer or vendor to determine whether the paper you’ve chosen is acceptable for laser printers.

29Choosing Print Materials

Preprinted forms and letterhead Use the following guidelines when selecting preprinted forms and

letterhead paper for the printer:

Use grain long papers for best results.

•

Use only forms and letterhead printed using an offset litho-

•

graphic or engraved printing process.

Choose papers that absorb ink, but do not bleed.

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Avoid papers with rough or heavily textured surfaces.

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Use papers printed with heat-resistant inks designed for use

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in xerographic copiers. The ink must withstand temperatures of 212oC (414oF) without melting or releasing hazardous emissions. Use inks that are not affected by the resin in the toner or the silicone in the fuser. Inks that are oxidation-set or oil-based should meet these requirements. Latex inks might not meet these requirements. If you are in doubt, contact your paper supplier.

30Choosing Print Materials

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